TRENDING:

About

Writing an about page is kind of like trying to write a personal ad…

Hi! I’m Briana. I currently live in the delightfully cute town of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. I’m a single mom with two teenage daughters, Caitlyn and Celina, and two cats, Tabitha and Bunny. Professionally, I work as a Senior User Experience Designer (a fancy way of saying I make websites). Personally, my life is a mess. Perpetually. A chaotic shitshow of epic proportions. But it’s also pretty awesome, and I’m learning a lot.

Some of the health issues I deal with are things I can do something about, and some aren’t, really. I have a genetic collagen disorder known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility type. It causes fun extra problems like randomly dislocating collarbones and other joints, and fairly constant pain. I also have Fibromyalgia, though I’m not convinced that’s not the name for a collection of symptoms that also stems from EDS. I also have Idiopathic Hypersomnia, or Narcolepsy without cataplexy, depending on which doctor you ask. It makes me super crazy tired all the freaking time, but I take drugs to function, so that’s good. Again, I’m not convinced this isn’t a side effect of EDS. I have arthritis in several places, some unidentified issue that causes dangerously low ACTH (the hormone that tells my body to release cortisol and adrenaline), PTSD, and I don’t even know what else. LOL My girls also have some of these issues, which has helped to make me pretty passionate about finding answers for at least some of it.

In my spare time, I like to do genetic research with our 23andMe results, learn about supplementation and our body’s methylation pathways and processes, research our family genealogy, do insane amounts of physical therapy, make healthy autoimmune paleo foods (most of the time) and teas and natural body care products, make music and laugh a lot with my girls, fix cars, take pictures, and go on adventures. I also like long walks on the beach, thunderstorms, and sunsets. 😉

This blog was started as a way to reach out and be open, honest and vulnerable about my own struggles and journey through life. I hope you find some humor, wisdom, or pretty pictures to take away from it!

Also, because I have to say it and I haven’t created the appropriate page yet, I do occasionally post affiliate links for things I think are awesome and that you might benefit from. I’m not trying to be greedy or get rich, but I am facing the reality that I have to cut back on work hours and take care of myself and my girls more – which means I need to figure out how to make an income that is a little more passive.

… And with that, I’ll bid you adieu for now! Time permitting, this page and site will be updated pretty frequently – but life has a way of getting out of hand on occasion. Message me if you need something or haven’t seen a post in awhile; accountability is a wonderful thing. LOL

In love & light,

~ Briana

Support me on Patreon

This journey is just beginning, and I'd like to have a whole lot more time to produce content and useful resources for you! Coming soon - audio and video! Any support you might be able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Welcome?

My name’s Briana. I’m a single mom in her late 30s, working full-time as a tech professional and raising two amazing teenage daughters. I’ve got issues – health issues, life issues, you name it. This is my attempt to come to terms with (or at least vent about) some of them – and maybe share some hard-earned wisdom, or at least help you realize you’re not alone out there.

Hit me up at contact@virtual-tea.com if you want to talk. 🙂

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.